@Michael HableFollowing are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andThe Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability company (IRA LLC) must be utilized;The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2015; the solo 401k contribution limit is $53,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

Time and lack of stress are more precious commodities than money after all.Also, the train has been  totally overhyped by the real estate promoters.

Never forget the most precious thing in your life are those who surround you. 

My dad gave me the confidence to take on whatever project, this project, as well, a precious 50K loan.

This is a precious opportunity to learn how they got their start and, if they were starting over again now, what they would do.Best of luck, Brandon!

I feel like I committed to this precious family, so it isn't just about me and my profit.

Their precious "white paper" (rules for syndicators) had absolutely no teeth.If someone brings situations like that up in one of their 2-day seminars...

I am a contractor, if I give you a price of $1000 for a job that’s worth $1000, you offer me $50/hour and it’s a 6 hour job.. go pound sand and call someone else You're so hysterical about what this could mean to your precious sh***y business model hat you have to mislead and engage in falsehoods to prove a point.A) If I got my way on this last one I'd be paying more (not less) and would still be working with the same realtor and not have to find a new one because of how badly designed the commission system is.B) Not in a million years would I suggest $50 an hour.

If you are not self-employed or starting a new business you need to consider the SDIRA.You can contribute up for 52k a year in a Solo 401k, as well as, much greater flexibility into what you are able to invest in - real estate, precious metals, those are viable investment options which are not offered by traditional plans - hence why this is so valuable for REI's. 

@Jay Hinrichs spends vast amounts of his precious time sharing his wealth of knowledge here on BP.